Sorting device



July 3, 1934. c, WARREN 1,964,837

SORTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 5, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet. l

INVENTOR.

CLYDE E.W PEN HIS A TTORNEY C. E. WARREN July 3, 1934.

SORTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 5. 1953 2 Shets-Sheet 2 DQhOOWN-O MON! (UN-O REE/v INVENTOR c1. YDE E. w BY $2, 5 Hi5 ATTORNEY Patented July 3, 1934 PATENT OFFICE was man UNITED STATES 6 Claims.

My invention relates to sorting devices, and more particularly to devices for effecting the segregation and orderly arrangement of data found in a multiplicity of sheets. Such devices find particular application in the field of accounting, where the segregation of data on sheets, such as sales tags, has to be made. Complicated tabulating machines for handling punched-cards have been developed for accomplishing this result, but these systems require expensive installations of mechanical equipment and necessarily involve the transferring of the data from the original data sheet or tag to a punched-card. Because of the expense involved in the use of these systems the majority of business houses, even including the larger department stores, still rely upon hand sorting of sales tags.

It is among the objects of my invention to provide a system of the character described which eliminates the step of transferring the data to a second sheet, such as a punched-card.

Another object of my invention is to provide a system which is characterized by the absence of complicated and expensive equipment.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide a method of eifecting the segregation of data by a direct sorting of the original data sheets.

A further object of my invention is to provide a simple sorting device for accomplishing the i above objects. 7

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of my invention. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to this disclosure of species of my invention, as I may adopt variant embodi-' ments thereof within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view'showing the sorting device embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of a sorting bar employed in my device; and

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the'same taken in the plane indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary front elevational View showing a modified form of sorting bar embodying the improvements of my invention; and

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the same taken in the plane indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

In terms of broad inclusion, the sorting device of my invention comprises a plurality of means for separately holding the original data sheets to be sorted. Adjustable elements selectively movable to positions corresponding to data on the sheets are provided on the holding means, and means are provided for supporting the holding means in alignment so that elements in similar positions register. Means are also provided for engaging the registered elements to connect the holding means of sheets having related data.

In greater detail, and referring particularly to Figures 1 to 3, the sorting device embodying my invention comprises means for separately holding the original data sheets, such as sales tags 2. As best shown in Figure 2, this holding means is preferably in the nature of a bar 3 having suitable clamps 4 adapted to engage the upper edge of the data sheet or tag 2. The bar 3 is preferably provided with a plurality of semi-circular upwardly extending tab portions 6, and each tab is provided with a plurality of sockets or openings 7.

A plurality of elements or arms 8 are adjustably mounted on the bar 3, in the particular form of bar shown the arms being pivotally mounted about axes concentric with the tab portions 6. The arms 8 project beyond the edges of the bar, and the projecting ends are provided with apertures 9. Each of the arms is provided with a stud 11 adapted to engage the sockets 7, and the arms are preferably resilient to forcibly seat the studs. By this arrangement the arms 8 may be adjusted to the several positions defined by the sockets 7, the seated studs providing means for holding the arms in a selected position of adjustment.

The adjustable arms 8 provide indicating means adapted to be set in accordance with data appearing on the sheet held by the bar. For the segregation of numerical data each of the arms 8 is provided with ten positions of adjustment, one for each digit from zero to nine. As shown in Figure 2, the digit positions preferably advance clockwise. A pointer 12 and cooperating digit scale 13 is preferably provided for each arm to facilitate the setting thereof to selected digit positions.

The ends of the sorting bar 3 are preferably provided with suitable notches 14 for engaging runners 16 provided along the upper sides of a supporting container 17. Note Figure 1. These notches are cut so that the bars by reason of their own weight lie in a vertical plane when positioned on the runners 16. The bars are preferably made of comparatively thin sheet metal so that many of them may be positioned on the container 17. When the bars are placed side by side on the runners the tabs 6 of the bars will be brought into alignment, and when two or more arms in the same row are similarly positioned their aperatures 9 will register, as will be tainer.

readily understood from an inspection of Figure 1. The container 17 is preferably of sufiicient height to allow the data sheets 2 to hang down freely between the walls of the container.

With the above construction in mind, the operation of my device is as follows: The original data sheets, such as the sales tags 2, are first collected and each clipped to a holding bar 3. The indicating arms 8 are then set in accordance with the data appearing on the sales tags. For example, and as best shown in Figure 2, the first two arms at the left end of the sorting bar are set to the digits 6 and 4 respectively. This is to correspond with the salesman number 64 on the tag. The next two arms are set to the digits 9 and 7 respectively, which corresponds with the department number 97 on the tag. The next two arms are set to the digits 1 and 3 respectively, which corresponds with the tag number 13. The last arm is set to digit 9, which corresponds to ledger 9.

After all of the bars have been set they are placed, together with the attached data sheets, in the holder 1'7. An operator may then sort the bars and attached sheets in the order of data appearing on the sheets by passing a rod or needle 18 through the apertures 9 of indicating arms having similar positions, as shown in Figure 1.

For example, consider that it is desired to sort the sheets in the numerical order of salesman numbers. In order to secure this arrangement of data only the first two arms at the left of the bar are employed in sorting. The operator starts I with the right hand of these two arms and works around the various digit positions from nine to zero. Each time one or more arms are found in a given position the needle 18 is passed through the registered arm apertures and then the bars i lifted out of their position. The bars thus lifted andsuspended on the needle are then brought together and placed at the rear of the container. As the bars are successively taken out they are built forwardly from the rear end of the con- This step of sorting arranges all of the tags with the last digits of the salesman numbers appearing in numerical order from zero to nine.

The bars are then all slipped forward again on the runners, and the needle passed successively through the various positions of the first arm,

starting with the nine and working around to the zero. For each position the bars picked up by the needle are lifted out and moved to the rear of the container as in the first operation. When 3 this sorting step has been completed all of the sheets in the container will be sorted in the numerical order of salesman numbers.

After the desired totals by salesmen have been run up on an adding machine, the tags may be resorted with respect to department numbers, and then with respect to tag numbers, and finally with respect to ledger numbers.

As an aid in threading the needle 18 through the registered indicating arms, a templet or guide bar 19 may be provided.v This guide bar is also notched to ride on the runners 16. and is of sufficient thickness to accurately have its position determined by the runners so that when the guide bar, is on the runners it is automatically set parallel with the ends of the container. The guide bar is provided with a plurality of guide apertures 21, suitably marked with the corresponding digits 22. These apertures accurately guide the needle through a given position of the arms, as will be readily understood.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a variant form of my bar construction in which vertically slidable indicating arms 23 are substituted for the pivoted arms shown in Figure 2. The arms in this case are carried on rivet pins 24 slidably mounted in suitable slots 26 provided in the bar 27. An inturned tab 28 is provided on the trailing end of each arm for engaging the slot to hold the arm against turning. The arms are also preferably made of spring material to urge the studs 29 into engagement with the sockets or openings 31 in the bar. Pointers 32 on the arms cooperate with digit scales 33 to aid in the setting of the arms. Of course a templet or guide for use in connection with this type of bar would have groups of vertically aligned guide holes.

I claim: I

l. A device for sorting sheets having data thereon comprising a bar for holding each sheet, arms adjustably mounted on the bars with apertured ends projecting beyond the edges of the bars and selectively movable to positions corresponding to data on said sheets, and means for supporting the bars in alignment so that the apertures of arms in similar positions register.

2. A device for sorting sheets having data thereon comprising a bar for holding each sheet, arms adjustably mounted on the bars with apertured ends projecting beyond the edges of the bars and selectively movable to positions corresponding to data on said sheets, means for supporting the bars in alignment so that the apertures of arms in similar positions register, and a rod adapted to pass through the registered apertures of said arms.

3. A device for sorting sheets having data thereon comprising a bar for holding each sheet, arms adjustably mounted on the bars with apertured ends projecting beyond the edges of the bars and selectively movable to positions corresponding to data on said sheets, means for supporting the bars in alignment so that the apertures of arms in similar positions register, a rod adapted to pass through the registered apertures of said arms, and means for guiding said rod.

4. In a device for sorting sheets having data thereon, a bar means on the bar for fastening a sheet thereto, and an arm adjustably mounted on the bar with an apertured end projecting beyond an edge of the bar and selectively movable to positions corresponding to data on said sheet.

5. In a device for sorting sheets having data thereon, a bar, means on the bar for fastening a sheet thereto, and an arm pivotally mounted on the bar with an apertured end projecting beyond an edge of the bar and selectively movable to positions corresponding to data on said sheet.

6. In a device for sorting sheets having data thereon, a bar, means on the bar'for fastening a sheet thereto and an arm slidably mounted on the bar with an apertured end projecting beyond an edge of the bar and selectively movable to positions corresponding to data on said sheet.

CLYDE E. WARREN. 

